Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Two Dead, Including Paramedic, After SUV Barrels Into Ambulance On Staten Island
By
Jen Chung
Published Aug 28, 2012
Modified Aug 28, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Chung
Published Aug 28, 2012
Modified Aug 28, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
An awful incident unfolded last night on Staten Island's Hylan Boulevard near Seacrest Avenue when a BMW SUV heading north suddenly jumped the divider into the south-bound side. The State Island Advance reports, "The ambulance, an SIUH vehicle, headed south with a patient and two paramedics, swerved but couldn't avoid the collision."
The impact of the 7 p.m. crash apparently ejected the SUV's driver, Benjamin Budzaku, from the car, killing him. The ambulance's driver, retired FDNY EMS lieutenant David Restuccio, 58, who was a paramedic for Staten Island University Hospital, was trapped in the vehicle and died at SIUH. Restuccio's partner, Yusuke Yonehara, and the patient already inside the ambulance had minor injuries.
The accident is being investigated. A witness who was heading south in another car told the Advance, "The BMW was on the other side of the street. He jumped the divider. The ambulance tried to swerve to avoid getting hit, but the BMW hit the ambulance and the ambulance flipped over. The guy got thrown from the car. I saw him fly through the air."
Another EMT who lived near the scene told the Daily News, "He was there, fighting for his life. He was screaming, 'Help! Help! Save me!' It was hard to watch. It was agonizing... You can't do a thing. He knew his situation. He's a professional. He knew he was pinned. He knew he didn't have a lot of time left... It was hard to watch one of our own like that. The other driver didn't deserve to die. But he was going pretty fast."
Restuccio was with FDNY EMS for 25 years until 2006. Here is Restuccio discussing the response on September 11, 2001 with Brian Williams:
Tagged
ambulance
crash
david restuccio
EMS
staten island
suv
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
With election 3 weeks away, Hochul and Blakeman to square off in lone NY governor debate
The hourlong debate is the candidates’ best chance to sell their competing visions to New York voters ahead of the Nov. 3 election.
By
Jon Campbell
Published Oct 13, 2026 at 6:30 a.m. ET
NYC's taxi union teams with Uber, hedge fund to demand healthcare 4 driver deaths
New York city's taxi workers want lawmakers to use a surcharge that goes to the MTA to pay for a health fund for drivers.
By
Stephen Nessen
and
Ramsey Khalifeh
News
NYC's taxi union teams with Uber, hedge fund to demand healthcare 4 driver deaths
New York city's taxi workers want lawmakers to use a surcharge that goes to the MTA to pay for a health fund for drivers.
By
Stephen Nessen
and
Ramsey Khalifeh
Man shot by ICE in NYC still has bullet lodged in neck, attorneys say
By
Liam Quigley
NY measles spread prompts 'disaster' emergency. It didn't have to be this way, health commissioner says.
By
Elizabeth Shwe
NYC wants to move deliveries onto the waterways. It's starting with a 55-year-old boat.
By
Liam Quigley
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .